If the idea of a vacation that involves a certain larger-than-life mouse leaves you with not-so-magical thoughts of a decimated bank account, think again. Disney World is far more affordable than you might think.As a parent who’s visited at least half a dozen times, I’ve learned some budget-crunching tips and found through trial and error what’s worth splurging on. Here, 15 tips from an unapologetic penny pincher on how a family can do Disney without breaking the bank.1. Stay on the property. Booking a room right at a Disney resort makes the most sense since you’ll spend considerably less time getting in and out of the parks than if you stay outside the park. And there are bargains to be had. In fact, Disney’s budget-priced hotels are fun, comfortable and filled with special little touches. At the Art of Animation, where rooms start at about $100 per night, you can also get a family suite in themes like Finding Nemo for around $249 per night. The Pop Century Resort, where rooms start at $112.50, is a salute to the fads of the 1950s through 1990s (the 1960s section is recommended because you’re close to the food court and bus stop to the parks).If you can pay slightly more, another personal favorite is Port Orleans, a moderately priced resort (rooms start at $191) meant to look like New Orleans’ French Quarter. Lively jazz plays in the public areas, there’s a fabulous Mardi Gras-themed pool, and early evening walks along magnolia blossom-perfumed cobblestone streets are memorable.2. Give it some thought before buying a Park Hopper ticket (which gives you entrance to the parks for several days for a flat rate). Consider that on at least one of your Disney days, the kids may just as soon lounge around the pool and chill out. If you have the Park Hopper, you feel compelled to hit the parks every day.3. Fastpasses are great to take advantage of for the most popular rides because they can save you waiting in line. At the ride you want, proceed to a Fastpass kiosk, insert your park ticket, and get the ticket back along with a slip of paper that tells you when to return. Typically, you have a window of opportunity of about an hour to return to that ride.4. While Fastpasses are great, don’t waste time getting one for shows held in theaters that seat hundreds, or for rides with a wait time of less than 20 minutes. Once you get a Fastpass for a particular attraction, you can’t get another one until the return time has passed for the first attraction.5. Take advantage of a new system, Fastpass+, which is included in the park admission and makes it easier than ever to maximize the number of rides you’ll go on. Choose rides on the “My Disney Experience” website before you leave home. Besides rides, you now can even reserve firework and parade viewing areas, Disney Character Greetings, and various shows.

6. When your kids invariably get tired in the afternoon and start nearing the meltdown point where they beg for pricey treats and merchandise, don’t give in. Instead, head back to your hotel. While the kids chill out in the pool or take a nap, you get a timeout as well. By the time you’re all ready to head back to the parks, you’re feeling rejuvenated and in a much better frame of mind than when you left.7. Always take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours program; you can find out in advance at disneyworld.com which park will have extended hours on which days.

8. Where to eat? Choose quick-service restaurants in the parks. While many Disney restaurants offer fixed-price dinner buffets that are all-you-can-eat, these can get pricey and if your kids tend to not eat a lot at one time, they’re no bargain. Personal favorites among the quick-service restaurants are Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in the Magic Kingdom (excellent salads and burgers) and Flame Tree Barbecue in the Animal Kingdom (fab ribs and chicken).9. Consider signing up for the Quick-Service Plan, one of many Disney dining plans. Great for families with small children and grownups who like to graze, the plan allows two quick-service meals and two snacks per person every day. With the Quick-Service Plan, you’ll probably save about 30% over what you would have spent ordering à la carte.10. If your kids are begging to go to one of the character meals so they can have a meet-and-greet with the likes of Cinderella, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, go for breakfast rather than a dinner. We saved more than $60 by feasting in the morning instead of evening at the Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace, where my 8-year-old hugged Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger. And we were still so full by noon that we skipped lunch.11. It’s hard for kids not to be tempted by the allure of Disney fast food. And while you’ll obviously give in some of the time, it hurts to fork over $3 for a bottle of water every time someone says they’re thirsty. In the quick-service restaurants, ask for a disposable cup of ice water rather than buying bottled water. Take resealable plastic sandwich bags with you so you can pack snacks in your hotel room to bring into the parks. And bring a bunch of granola bars and protein bars along to the park each day.12. Pick up and pack some small Disney-themed trinkets before leaving home (check out warehouse stores and supermarkets), and be sure to buy an inexpensive princess costume for your little girl. You’ll pay much less than you would once you get to Disney World, and you can dole out one small gift to your child each day.13. Give each child a gift card at the start of the trip and suggest that they wait until the last day to use it.14. If you can, visit Disney in the fall. The parks are at their least crowded and the weather still has a summer-like feel. Late January is a good time, too, but the temps can drop into the 50s and 60s — and nights can be downright chilly. Even in January, though, the pools at the Disney resorts are heated and stay open year round. When I visited last winter with three daughters, they had no qualms about swimming at 10 p.m. (while I lounged on the pool deck in a heavy sweatshirt).15. Don’t forget to have fun! It’s all too easy to fall into the role of a drill sergeant ordering the troops around as you move from one attraction to the next. But the good memories your kids will carry with them in years to come aren’t based on whether or not they went on Space Mountain and Splash Mountain in the same day. Instead, they will remember your time together as a family, enjoying one another’s company in a very magical place.